AuldSoul:
You are very welcome!
by watch the tower 126 Replies latest watchtower scandals
AuldSoul:
You are very welcome!
From Sebastian: How Many Yachts Does It Take? http://www.kent.steinhaug.no/forum/showthread.php?s=e392eea2b826c2be5af7450cabed684e&threadid=3685 Many people have wondered just how many (Yachts) have been
owned by the Watchtower Society.
Starting with some of the older literature, and advancing forward
into more recent literature of the Watchtower Society, I have found (6) different (Yachts) that the Watchtower owned. This only represents the Yachts that are (listed) in Watchtower literature, as there could be many more.
---------------------------------
Watchtower/1955/Dec/15th/p.743
Describes the Yacht called:
1. (Sibia)-----------------------------
Watchtower/1958/Dec/1st/p.-718
Describes the Yacht called:
2. (Society's Twenty Ton Auxiliary Schooner Yacht).
----------------------------------------------------
The 1976/Yearbook/pages 62-63/
Describes the Yacht called:
3. (Hope)-----------------------------
The Watchtower/1977/Sept/1st/p.-533/
Describes the Yacht called:
4. (Lightbearer)
------------------------------
The 1995/Yearbook/pages-138-139/
Describes the Yacht called:
5. (Light)
-------------------------------
The 1995/Yearbook/pages-138-139/
Describes the Yacht called:
6. (Faith)
--------------------------------
Three different articles published about the Yacht (Sibia), listed
it having (3) different sizes.
The 95 Yearbook says that the (Sibia) was--59 feet!
The 86 Watchtower says that the (Sibia) was---60 feet
The 89 Yearbook says that the (Sibia) was----65 feet
The Watchtower in their articles, mention the (larger) Yachts were needed to carry on the missionary work. So don't you wonder what happened to the Yachts that were no longer needed?
Were they sold?
Are they sitting at a dock somewhere with the Watchtower President's name on the owners title?
I am afraid the Watchtower does not include answers to some of those questions.
The Watchtower Society also owns (2) Airplanes
When I think that my family (helped) to pay for those Yachts, and
Airplanes, because of our donations to the Watchtower all those years we were attending, I get a bad lump in my stomach.
When I think of all the Jehovah's Witness Children, who are worried about where their next meal might be coming from---my blood pressure shoots up.
Some of the articles even speak about the (Brandy) that was provided on board the Yachts, to help from Sea-sickness.
Sea sickness?----------Yeah, right!
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?REGNO=1077961&subsidno=1
Extract from the Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales |
Trustees |
http://www.charity-commission.gov.uk/registeredcharities/showcharity.asp?remchar=&chyno=275946
Extract from the Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales |
THE KINGDOM HALL TRUST
Old NamesLONDON COMPANY OF KINGDOM WITNESSES Charity CorrespondentMR JONATHAN RASTALLMailing & Submissions |
|
Financial Year Start | Financial Year End | Gross Income | Total Expenditure |
01 Sep 1997 | 31 Aug 1998 | £1,360,841 | £453,385 |
01 Sep 1998 | 31 Aug 1999 | £1,694,796 | £2,346,204 |
01 Sep 1999 | 31 Aug 2000 | £2,114,787 | £2,383,848 |
01 Sep 2000 | 31 Aug 2001 | £2,029,494 | £2,030,992 |
01 Sep 2001 | 31 Aug 2002 | £3,062,754 | £3,052,640 |
01 Sep 2002 | 31 Aug 2003 | £51,122 | £54,021 |
01 Sep 2003 | 31 Aug 2004 | £15,804 | £15,615 |
Trustees | List Of Trustees |
Extract from the Central Register of Charities maintained by the Charity Commission for England and Wales |
Mailing & Submissions |
|
Financial Year Start | Financial Year End | Gross Income | Total Expenditure |
01 Nov 1999 | 31 Aug 2000 | £24,381,686 | £13,399,290 |
01 Sep 2000 | 31 Aug 2001 | £15,770,201 | £16,481,528 |
01 Sep 2001 | 31 Aug 2002 | £20,352,936 | £20,695,082 |
01 Sep 2002 | 31 Aug 2003 | £20,345,465 | £13,773,626 |
01 Sep 2003 | 31 Aug 2004 | £19,069,848 | £15,915,435 |
Trustees | List Of Trustees |
Subsidiary | |||
Subsidiary Name | Registration Date | Registration Removal Date | |
1077961 - 1 | THE SOCIETY KINGDOM HALL FUND | 06 Jan 2004 |
http://www.watchtowerinformationservice.org/index.php/watchtower-money/end-of-the-world-near-watchtower-builds-luxury-properties/ End of the World Near? Watchtower Builds Luxury Properties June 24th, 2005 | Posted in: Watchtower & Money | Keywords: Jehovah, Watchtower Society, Bethel
Jehovah Witnesses Live in a Conflicting Environment
(I-Newswire) - For over 125 years the Watchtower Bible & Tract Society has been proclaiming the end of the world is nigh. It is to be replaced with a New Order where only those espousing their beliefs will live.
Yet the Watchtower Society continued to build in Brooklyn, expanding their smaller headquarters to contain several large properties in the exclusive Brooklyn Heights section next to the Brooklyn Bridge. In spite of several failed prophecies for the end of the world, the last disappointment being the year 1975, the Watchtower is a multi-billion dollar landowner all over the world. Income from their New York City corporation ( one of many they own ) is one of the top 40 in New York City, with just under $1 billion per year.
Not content with owning large blocks of properties and a 30-story residential building in Brooklyn, the Watchtower Society is planning to build a large 20+ story complex in DUMBO ( Down Under the Manhattan Bridge Overpass ), a trendy neighborhood that is not happy with their plans.
A watchdog organization called 85 Jay Street.org was formed to oppose this major influx of non-taxpaying residents, who want the project scaled down and altered to at least reflect part of the local community instead of having another huge religious dormitory like the large factory and residential buildings already dominating Brooklyn Heights.
Why So Much Construction When the End is Near?
Currently Jehovah’s Witnesses are attending summer conventions all over the world, and part of the scripted assembly program is focused on this “time of the end” we are living in. One play drama focuses on not worrying so much about getting a higher education because the “end is near.”
Why are so many buildings being erected when the numbers are down and Witnesses are apathetic about pressure to do more?
It could be an advance move to make sure their are enough funds to cover the ongoing litigation over child abuse scandals now mounting.
The large payouts the Catholic Church has made in the last few years over pedophile priests and those who cover them up has Watchtower attorneys worried for similar reasons. This is largely due to a “biblical dictate” that says in order to take action against any allegations of sexual misconduct or pedophilia there must be “two witnesses” to the alleged crime. Since that is rarely the case in the real world with pedophiles, large numbers of them have been left unpunished and go unreported, even though the elders and the leaders of the Watchtower Society often have knowledge of such allegations, and in fact have covered over many confessions of sex abusers - not wanting adverse publicity on their organization. This “ecclesiastical privilege” means that the Witness coming to your door to talk about the Bible may in fact be a known pedophile among his elders but has never been prosecuted by the sect OR the law, and they are out there talking to your children.
The law firm of Love and Norris is currently seeking prosecution for several such cases among the Witnesses, hoping to build a class-action suit that will force the Watchtower to change its policies ( they are still holding to the “two witnesses” rule ). The Watchtower Society is building all of their new properties to be easily converted into luxury apartments should the need arise. They already have several large properties up for sale in this multimillion dollar neighborhood. Buy low and sell high! But if the end is near, Why?
UNITED WAY OF CENTRAL NEW MEXICO, INC. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS JUNE 30, 2003 Scroll down to the bottom of page 27 Watchtower Bible Tract Of New York 25 http://www.uwcnm.org/pdfs/03UWCNMaudit.pdf
Designation | Charitable Organization | |
Fiscal Period End | 2004-08-31 | |
Registration Date | 1967-01-01 | |
BN/registration number | 119288918RR0001 | |
Telephone number | (905) 873-4100 | |
Fax number | ||
E-mail address | ||
Web site address | ||
Contact Name and Position | CLAYTON HANSON | |
Names the charity is known by other than its registered name: |
Program areas: The three primary areas in which the charity is now carrying on programs to achieve its charitable purposes are listed below. The program areas are ranked according to the percentage of time and resources devoted to each program area.
Rank | Description | Field Code | % of Emphasis |
---|---|---|---|
1 | |||
2 | |||
3 |
A1 | Has the charity made any changes to its governing documents (e.g., letters patent, articles of incorporation, constitution, trust, or by-laws) that it has not previously reported? | 1500 | Yes |
---|---|---|---|
A2 | Was the charity an internal division regulated by the governing documents of another charity (i.e., it had no governing documents establishing its independent existence)? If yes, what is the name and BN/registration number of the other charity? | 1510 | No |
Name: | |||
BN/registration number: | |||
A3 | Was the charity linked to a provincial, national, or international organization? If yes, what is the name of this organization and its BN/registration number (if applicable)? | 1540 | Yes |
Name: | |||
BN/registration number: | |||
A4 | Has the charity wound-up, dissolved, or terminated operations? | 1570 | No |
A5 | Has the charity amalgamated, merged, or consolidated with another organization? | 1580 | No |
B1 | Has the Charity attached a list of Director/Trustees and Like Officials? | 1700 | Yes |
---|---|---|---|
You can click on Directors/Trustees and Like Officials to open a new window that displays each person's name (first, middle initial and last name), position in the charity, and their arm's length status. |
C1 | Was the charity inactive during the fiscal period? If yes, please explain why in the "Ongoing programs" space below. | 1800 | No |
---|---|---|---|
C2 | Describe how the charity carried out its charitable purposes during the fiscal period. Give detailed information so a reader can clearly understand what the charity actually did to fulfill its mandate. Describe the charity's ongoing programs and new programs in the spaces provided below. Do not attach additional sheets of paper or annual reports. Do not include a description of fundraising activities in this section. Grant-making charities should describe the types of organizations they support. Please number each program. | ||
Ongoing programs: | |||
THE SOCIETY WORKS WITH THE ORDER OF SPECIAL FULL-TIME SERVANTS OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES TO ADMINISTER AND DIRECT A BIBLE EDUCATIONAL WORK. THIS INCLUDES THE CONDUCTING OF SPECIAL TRAINING SCHOOLS FOR THOSE WHO TAKE THE LEAD IN THE PREACHING ACTIVITY OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. DURING THE 2004 FISCAL YEAR THE SOCIETY FINANCIALLY SPONSORED 36 ANNUAL CONVENTIONS IN 23 LOCATIONS WITHIN CANADA TO PROMOTE OUR BIBLE EDUCATIONAL WORK. WE PRINT AND DISTRIBUTE RELIGIOUS MATERIAL WHICH IS USED IN PROMOTING BIBLE EDUCATION. DURING THE 2004 FISCAL YEAR, WATCH TOWER, AT ITS PRINTERY IN GEORGETOWN, ONTARIO, PRINTED THE FOLLOWING ITEMS: 11,484,136 COPIES OF THE SEMIMONTHLY BIBLE JOURNAL THE WATCHTOWER; 10,923,207 COPIES OF AWAKE (A COMPANION JOURNAL TO THE WATCHTOWER); 4,019,338 BLBIE-BASED BROCHURES; 62,766,550 BIBLE-BASED TRATS. DURING THIS SAME YEAR, WATCH TOWER SHIPPED 5,562,653 BIBLES AND OTHER BIBLE STUDY PUBLICATIONS (NOT INCLUDING THE WATCHTOWER AND AWAKE) TO CONGREGATIONS OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES IN CANADA FOR DISTRIBUTION TO MEMBERS AND THE GENERAL PUBLIC AT NO CHARGE. WE DONATE FUNDS AND RELIGIOUS LITERATURE TO SPECIFIC COUNTRIES IN SUPPORT OF THE WORLDWIDE BIBLE EDUCATIONAL WORK OF JEHOVAH'S WITNESSES. WE WORK WITH THE ORDER OF SPECIAL FULL-TIME SERVANTS IN DIRECTING AN ONGOING PROGRAM OF CONSTRUCTING AND RENOVATING PLACES OF WORSHIP KNOWN AS KINGDOM HALLS. | |||
New programs: | |||
C3 | For programs carried on in Canada, check the appropriate box to show where the programs were carried on. | ||
· A single rural, city, or metropolitan area | 2000 | ||
· Provincially or territorially | 2010 | ||
· In more than one province or territory | 2020 | Yes | |
C4 | Did the charity carry on programs, directly or indirectly, outside Canada? | 2100 | Yes |
If yes, were any carried out: | |||
· by employees or volunteers of the charity? | 2110 | No | |
· under agency agreement, contract, joint-venture, or similar arrangements? | 2120 | Yes | |
· through gifts to qualified donees? | 2130 | No | |
· by other means? | 2140 | No | |
C5 | For programs the charity managed directly, outside of Canada, list the countries or regions where programs were carried on. Do not include countries or regions where programs were managed by a qualified donee. | ||
AFRICA | |||
EUROPE | |||
ASIA | |||
CARIBBEAN | |||
CENTRAL AMERICA | |||
NORTH AMERICA | |||
SOUTH AMERICA | |||
C6 | Did the charity issue scholarships, bursaries, awards, prizes, or honoraria to an individual during the fiscal period? | 2300 | No |
C7 | A charity may pursue political activities that are non-partisan, related to its charitable purposes, and limited in extent. During the fiscal period, did the charity carry out political activities or provide assistance to another organization to carry out political activities? | 2400 | No |
C8 | If the charity carried on fundraising activities, check all fundraising methods that it used during the fiscal period. | ||
Advertisements/posters/flyers/radio or TV commercials | 2500 | ||
Auctions | 2510 | ||
Bingo/casino nights | 2520 | ||
Collection plates/boxes | 2530 | ||
Door-to-door solicitation | 2540 | ||
Draws/lotteries | 2550 | ||
Fundraising dinners/galas/concerts | 2560 | ||
Fundraising sales (e.g., cookies, chocolate) | 2570 | ||
Mail campaigns | 2580 | ||
Planned-giving programs | 2590 | ||
Targeted corporate donations/sponsorships | 2600 | ||
Targeted contacts | 2610 | ||
Telephone solicitations | 2620 | ||
Tournaments/sporting events | 2630 | ||
Walk-a-thons/bike-a-thons (etc.) | 2640 | ||
Other | 2650 | ||
Specify: | 2660 | ||
C9 | Did the charity use incentive-based compensation (e.g., bonuses, commissions, finder's fees, honoraria) for fundraisers? | 2700 | No |
If yes, were these incentives paid to: | |||
· contracted fundraisers? | 2710 | ||
· staff or volunteers? | 2720 | ||
C10 | Did the charity charge fees for, or otherwise receive regular revenue from goods, services, or the use of the charity's assets? | 2800 | No |
C11 | Did the charity make gifts to qualified donees? | 2900 | Yes |
If the charity answered "Yes", you can click on Gifts to Qualified Donees to open a new window that displays the name of each qualified donee and its location, BN/registration number, the total amount of the gift for the fiscal period, the amount, if any, of specified gifts, and whether or not it is an associated charity. | |||
C12 | If the charity received non-cash gifts (gifts in kind) for which it issued tax receipts, check all the types of gifts that apply. | ||
Artwork/wine/jewellery | 3000 | ||
Building materials | 3010 | ||
Clothing/furniture/food | 3020 | ||
Vehicles | 3030 | ||
Cultural property | 3040 | ||
Ecological property | 3050 | ||
Machinery/equipment (including computers/software) | 3060 | Yes | |
Hedge funds/life insurance policies | 3070 | Yes | |
Publicly-traded securities/mutual funds | 3080 | Yes | |
Privately-held securities | 3090 | ||
Other | 3100 | Yes | |
Specify: | 3110 | BONDS/GIC'S |
Note: Compensation includes all forms of remuneration (e.g., salaries, fees, and honoraria) and benefits (e.g., personal use of a car or office space). | |||
D1 | On average, how many permanent, full-time, compensated positions did the charity have in the fiscal period? | 3600 | |
---|---|---|---|
D2 | For the five highest compensated positions indicate the number of positions in each of the following annual compensation categories. Include only those positions that are permanent, full-time positions. | ||
$1-$39,999 | 3700 | ||
$40,000-$79,999 | 3710 | ||
$80,000-$119,999 | 3720 | ||
$119,999 and over | 3730 | ||
D3 | On average, how many part-time or part-year employees did the charity employ in the fiscal period? | 3800 | |
D4 | What was the total expenditure on compensation for part-time or part-year employees in the fiscal period? | 3850 | |
D5 | Did the charity compensate any of its directors/trustees or like officials, during the fiscal period? | 3900 | No |
D6 | Except for compensation, did the charity, directly or indirectly, transfer any part of its income or assets to individuals or organizations not at arm's length to the charity? | 3950 | No |
E1 | Please attach a copy of the charity's financial statements to this return. | 4000 | Yes |
---|---|---|---|
E2 | May we make the attached financial statements available to the public? | 4010 | No |
If the charity has indicated its financial statements are available to the public and you would like a copy, please contact us. | |||
E3 | Was the financial information reported below prepared on an accrual or cash basis? | 4020 | ACCRUAL |
E4 | Figures are shown to the nearest single dollar. | ||
Assets | |||
Cash, bank accounts, and short-term investments | 4100 | $ 1,926,693 | |
Amounts receivable from non-arm's length parties | 4110 | ||
Amounts receivable from all others. | 4120 | $ 16,402,317 | |
Investments in non-arm's length parties | 4130 | ||
Long-term investments | 4140 | $ 28,835,588 | |
Inventories | 4150 | $ 1,056,435 | |
Capital assets | 4160 | $ 41,037,777 | |
Other assets | 4170 | $ 1,351,437 | |
Total assets | 4200 | $ 90,610,247 | |
Liabilities | |||
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities. | 4300 | $ 1,236,865 | |
Deferred revenue | 4310 | ||
Amounts owing to non-arm's length parties | 4320 | $ 185,854 | |
Other liabilities | 4330 | $ 27,177,586 | |
Total liabilities | 4350 | $ 28,600,305 | |
Amount included in lines 4150, 4160, and 4170 not used in charitable programs | 4250 | ||
E5 | Figures are shown to the nearest single dollar. | ||
Revenue | |||
Total tax-receipted gifts | 4500 | $ 12,214,226 | |
Total gifts received from other registered charities | 4510 | $ 7,263,781 | |
Total specified gifts included in line 4510 | 4520 | ||
Total other gifts | 4530 | $ 6,114,301 | |
Revenue from federal government | 4540 | ||
Revenue from provincial/territorial governments | 4550 | ||
Revenue from municipal/regional governments | 4560 | ||
Total revenue from government | 4570 | ||
Interest and investment income | 4580 | $ 1,301,605 | |
Proceeds from disposition of assets | |||
· gross | 4590 | $ 811,365 | |
· net | 4600 | $ -90,350 | |
Rental income (land and buildings) | 4610 | ||
Memberships, dues, and association fees (non tax-receipted) | 4620 | ||
Total revenue from fundraising | 4630 | ||
Total revenue from sale of goods and services (except to government) | 4640 | ||
Other revenue | 4650 | $ 646,926 | |
Total revenue | 4700 | $ 27,450,489 | |
Expenditures (Enter all expenditures, whether or not on charitable programs) | |||
Advertising and promotion | 4800 | ||
Travel and vehicle | 4810 | $ 1,715,074 | |
Interest and bank charges | 4820 | $ 15,636 | |
Licences, memberships, and dues | 4830 | $ 13,852 | |
Office supplies and expenses | 4840 | $ 185,350 | |
Occupancy costs | 4850 | $ 8,717,835 | |
Professional and consulting fees | 4860 | $ 395,825 | |
Education and training for staff and volunteers | 4870 | $ 58,599 | |
Salaries, wages, benefits, and honoraria | 4880 | ||
Donated and purchased supplies and assets expensed for the fiscal period | 4890 | $ 14,558,315 | |
Amortization of capitalized assets | 4900 | ||
Research grants and scholarships as part of charitable programs | 4910 | ||
Other expenditures | 4920 | $ 354,938 | |
Total expenditures before gifts to qualified donees | 4950 | $ 26,015,424 | |
Total charitable programs expenditures included in line 4950 | 5000 | $ 25,142,831 | |
Total management and administration expenditures included in line 4950 | 5010 | $ 872,593 | |
Total fundraising expenditures included in line 4950 | 5020 | ||
Total political activity expenditures included in line 4950 | 5030 | ||
Total other activity expenditures included in line 4950 | 5040 | ||
Total gifts to qualified donees | 5050 | $ 6,775 | |
Total expenditures | 5100 | $ 26,022,199 |
F1 | What were the total expenditures on programs outside Canada during the fiscal period, excluding gifts to qualified donees? | 5400 | $ 12,835,599 |
---|---|---|---|
F2 | If the charity retained contracted fundraiser(s), enter: | ||
a) the gross revenues collected by the fundraiser(s) on behalf of the charity | 5450 | ||
b) the amounts paid to and/or retained by the fundraiser(s) | 5460 | ||
c) the net fundraising revenue received by the charity (line 5450 minus line 5460) | 5470 | ||
F3 | If the charity has written permission to accumulate property, enter: | ||
· the amount accumulated for the fiscal period, including income earned for the fiscal period on previously accumulated funds | 5500 | ||
· the amount disbursed for the fiscal period for the specified purpose we have granted permission for | 5510 | ||
· the amount deemed to be a tax-receipted gift for the fiscal period. | 5520 | ||
F4 | Of the tax-receipted gifts received by the charity for the fiscal period, enter: | ||
· the total amount of tax-receipted non-cash gifts (gifts in kind) | 5600 | $ 1,519,581 | |
· the total amount of tax-receipted tuition fees? | 5610 | ||
· the total amount of tax-receipted ten-year gifts | 5620 | ||
· the total amount of tax-receipted bequests | 5630 | $ 2,905,356 | |
F5 | If the charity received ten-year gifts or bequests in a previous fiscal period and used them to reduce its disbursement quota, enter the amount, if any, spent in the fiscal period. | 5700 | $ 3,857,916 |
F6 | If the charity is taking a special reduction, which we have pre-approved, to its disbursement quota, enter the special reduction amount for the fiscal period. | 5750 | |
F7 | Did the charity acquire a non-qualifying security or allow a donor to use any of the charity's property under the circumstances described in the guide during the fiscal period? | 5800 | No |
G1 | In the fiscal period, did the foundation acquire control of a share-capital or for-profit corporation? | 6000 | |
---|---|---|---|
G2 | Indicate the average value of investment property not used for charitable programs or administration during: | ||
· the 24 months before the beginning of the fiscal period | 6050 | ||
· the 24 months before the end of the fiscal period | 6060 | ||
G3 | Did the foundation incur debts at any time during the fiscal period other than for current operating expenses, in purchasing or selling investments, or in administering charitable programs? | 6100 | |
G4 | For private foundations only: At any time during the fiscal period, did the foundation hold any shares, rights to acquire such shares, or debts owing to it that meet the definition of a non-qualified investment? |
I do not wish to get off of the [theme], however, the assistance the Watchtower Society receives from [other organizations], must also aid in the [money] trail. The financial savings described in some of the examples below listed in the Watchtower's own quotes, gives us an idea of how much the Watchtower relies on [other organizations] for support! This support can aid in saving the Watchtower Society in many millions of dollars! Lets see how much the Watchtower depends on other organization’s transportation services as well as favors! The Awake/1974/Oct/22nd/p-15/ states, quote: Eventually we set off in a (Red Cross car and van) to pick up the people. We made it there, and hurriedly packed in twenty-six persons. We knew we had no time to spare. The Watchtower/1989/Oct/1st/p-25/ states, quote: As I had only one Bible,( I wrote to the Red Cross in Geneva, asking them to send me as many Bibles as they could). Time passed, but (eventually I received my first parcel of secondhand Bibles). One day I was told to go to the camp office because a visitor, (a representative of the Red Cross), wished to see me. He turned out to be a Protestant minister. He apparently thought that I was a Protestant also. He was a little disappointed when he learned that I was one of Jehovah’s Witnesses! The Yearbook/1986/p-239/ states, quote: Relief supplies were being sent in (from the brothers in the British Isles and Ireland), using facilities of the (International Red Cross) and other voluntary charitable organizations interested in flying in relief for war victims. The Yearbook/1986/p- 240/ states, quote: So the (Society sent Asuquo Akpabio with supplies by Red Cross plane to Calabar). A (similar flight to Port Harcourt was made by Gerald Bogard). Then there was Wendell Jensen, an American; he and Lois his wife had come to Nigeria from Gilead in 1966. The Yearbook/1986/p- 240/ states, quote: Gösta Andersson, (a newly arrived missionary, took more needed supplies on a Red Cross flight) to Enugu. After hours of walking to locate (the brothers), and with jittery, armed soldiers all around, he got the supplies delivered. Then we have the United Nations transporting materials and flying Jehovah’s Witnesses to different locations. The Watchtower/1994/Jan/1st/p-6/ states, quote: A missionary writes: “Concerning (our brothers) who found themselves in refugee camps in Tete Province, an interesting observation was made by a representative of UNHCR (United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees.) He said that Jehovah’s Witnesses had organized their own camps, separate from other groups. ‘Their camp,’ he said, ‘was the only one that was properly run,’ adding, ‘Jehovah’s Witnesses are clean, organized, and educated.’ He then offered (to take me by plane across the bush to see for myself). From the air, the pilot pointed out two camps. One was shabby and dirty, with mud houses built on top of one another without any planning. The other was well laid out, with houses separated into rows by roads. The houses had a neat appearance, with swept courtyards. Some were even painted with homemade paint. ‘Guess which one belongs to you people?’ the pilot said. It was a great joy for me to meet the brothers in this camp. There are now eight congregations in this Witness village.” The Awake/2001/July/22nd/p-9/ states, quote: One UNHCR official in the Democratic Republic of Congo was so pleased with the orderliness of the relief efforts carried out by the Witnesses that (she put her vehicle at the disposal of the volunteers).
The Watchtower/2003/Feb/15th/p- 11/ states, quote: In another camp, 12,382 refugees were each given three articles of clothing, and another camp received thousands of schoolbooks to be used in secondary and primary schools and in day-care centers. The logistics officer of the UNHCR in one of the regions commented: “We are very grateful for (the donation received [meeting] the great needs of the population in the refugee camps). The most recent consignment received was (that of 5 containers of books, which our community services have distributed amongst the refugee population). . . . Thank you very much.” Watchtower brochure, Mission To Africa: quote: Our activity was often hindered by difficulties particular to the region. Distances are vast and lines of communication almost nonexistent. The best form of travel, if not the only one, is the airplane. Often we used the H.C.R.'s (United Nations High Commission for Refugees) planes. Please note that the Watchtower says, that this was done (often)! Can you imagine the cost of all of those flights in just aviation gas alone? The Watchtower certainly benefits financially from other organizations in untold millions!Cutting [production] costs also helps in the money trail for the Watchtower Society. Publishing "paperback" books instead of the clothbound used in earlier days, having no meals served at assemblies, several people have mentioned that the convention platform and stage, have been very "plain" with no decorative flowers and plants as was seen before in earlier days, cutting back on the "Awake" magazine production, not to mention [not] having to pay taxes! In effect, every idea the Watchtower is coming out with that "appears" to be a new good idea for the Society as a whole, is "really" a method of either "saving" money for the Watchtower Society, or "making" more "money" for the Watchtower Society. --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- From Severus: http://www.jehovahs-witness.com/12/102369/1.ashx In another effort to crimp the production of materials, the Society is asking JW members to consider reducing their orders of Watchtower & Awake! audio recordings.
At Service Meetings this week, a letter is read to the congregation:
Publishers are asked to "conserve contributed funds" by considering which of the 3 formats of audio recording they really need. The 3 formats are CD, MP3 (on CD) and cassette tape.
The push is to "greatly reduce production cost" by limiting orders of one format only to each household. The letter states copying the material for use in the household does not violate copyright laws.
It is noted that material for producing cassette tapes is becoming more expense and difficult to find. (Is this a hint that tapes will soon be discontinued?)
Publishers are asked to evaluate how to reduce their order and cancel any audio orders with the literature servant as soon as possible.
In a separate letter, read at the same meeting:
It has been annouced that the Watchtower & Awake! CD and MP3 recordings will continue to be released twice a month, even though the Awake! will only be published once a month beginning January 1, 2006.
The first CD of each month will contain the first Watchtower (dated the 1st) and the monthly Awake! The second CD will contain the second Watchtower (dated the 15th) and the same monthly Awake!
Comments: This is the latest in an ongoing effort to downsize and minimize the "spiritual feeding program" produced by the "Faithful and Discreet Slave". Previous cost-cutting:
Meanwhile it is hard to ignor the pledge-drives at conventions and assemblies that tack a contribution for the world-wide-work to "operating costs". This amount is usually $3,000 - $5,000 for assemblies and over $10,000 for conventions per circuit/district in the US.
What is all the money for?